TV presenter Rachel studied mathematics at the University of Oxford and became Carol Vorderman’s Countdown replacement in 2009.

She’s been a part of the 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown team since 2012 and hosted recent ITV series It’s Not Rocket Science. In 2013, Rachel competed in Strictly Come Dancing, paired with Russian dancer Pasha Kovalev, who she’s now dating.

Rachel, 30, is also a keen advocate of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). She lives in west London.“I love going out for dinner on Friday nights.

I’m gluten-intolerant but there are lots of fantastic vegan restaurants where I live

Rachel Riley

I’m gluten-intolerant but there are lots of fantastic vegan restaurants where I live, so Pasha and I will go for a bite to eat and then head home. We’re night owls so usually watch a box-set until 3am – we’re enjoying The Good Wife at the moment.

“Sleep is my favourite thing, so I tend to have a lie-in on Saturday morning.

For breakfast, I’ll eat some berries and afterwards I’ll go for a bike ride, often to Richmond Park if the weather is nice. I enjoy cycling around London, too. You see so much more by bike than in a car.

“On Saturday night, I like to catch up with my girlfriends. I’m seeing a lot of them at the moment as it’s wedding season – I’m bridesmaid three times this summer!

“Sundays are the only day Pasha and I have off together. We might take a walk in Hyde Park and then come home to make something like a one-pot fish stew, as we both enjoy cooking. I’m massively into football so if Manchester United’s playing I’ll watch the game on TV.

Strictly Come Dancing 2013 couple's shots

Sat, September 14, 2013

The first pictures of the celebrity contestants with their professional dance partners

Rachel Riley sizzled as she wore a 50s swing dress with a plunging neckline [BBC/RAY BURMISTON]

“On Sunday evening, we’ll eat leftovers and have a nice bottle of wine. I also sort out the clothes I’ll need for filming Countdown the following week.

“That’s a typical weekend for me, though this weekend I’m visiting the Make the Future London festival to cheer on STEM students taking part in the Shell Eco-marathon.

They’ve had a year to design and build the ultimate energy-efficient vehicle, which they’ll race around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to see how far they can drive on one litre of fuel! It’s really inspiring stuff.”

Rachel is an ambassador for Make the Future London, a festival of energy-saving ideas taking place from June 30 to July 3. Visit makethefuture.shell.